On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Talia returned to the law firm to start work. The first day back saw an unexpected visitor at the law firm. Selina Hughes walked into Senco Law Firm flaunting a designer high-end outfit, carrying a limited edition Hermes bag and wearing high heels, heading straight to Talia Rhodes’ office. The office door wasn’t locked; Selina walked in without knocking. Talia was on the phone; she looked up to see the uninvited Selina Hughes and gently frowned. "That’s all for now, I have something here and need to hang up." Selina sat down on the sofa like she owned the place, casually placing her bag aside as she examined Talia’s office, "This place is really small, can this even be called an office?" Talia hung up the phone and looked at her, showing no expression on her face, "What do you want here?" Selina curled her lips, "I forgot to tell you, I’ve invested in your law firm, so now I’m one of the behind-the-scenes bosses and your superior." Talia’s eyes remained calm, seemingly unsurprised, "And then?" Selina smiled at Talia, "There’s no one else here today, so I’m dropping the act. Talia Rhodes, I really hate you, you know that?" Talia picked up her water cup calmly and took a sip, "Oh really? I don’t like you either." "Ha ha." Selina laughed indifferently, "Grandma wasn’t wrong when she said you lawyers are just sharp-tongued; you can only boast in front of me. I called you Sister Talia because you were my brother’s fiancée once, but you actually think you’re something?" Selina’s eyes gleamed with pride as she taunted, "You probably don’t know, Grandma is introducing potential matches to my brother, so you and my brother can never be together." Talia’s hand froze, her heart felt like it was stung by something. But she didn’t show any of it in front of Selina. Talia lifted her head with an impeccable smile, "That’s great then, it means you still can’t marry into The Jennings Family without me. Your grandma is arranging matches for Adrian Jennings, yet you still find a way to laugh? If I were you, I’d hide under my covers and cry all day." Selina’s smug smile instantly froze. The ridicule in her eyes turned to shock, "You, you already know?" Talia snorted coldly, "Even a blind person can see your feelings for your brother. You wouldn’t dare play tricks in front of The Jennings Family, or else Mrs. Jennings would have already kicked you out." Selina’s face turned slightly pale, "You, what does it matter if you know? Even if you tell the Jennings Family, no one will believe you!" For original chapters go to novel⚑fire.net "You think I’m like you? Instigating trouble everywhere?" Talia’s eyes grew cold, her voice filled with disdain, "Your feelings for Adrian are none of my business. In the end, you’re the daughter of The Jennings Family’s caretaker and Mrs. Jennings’ adopted daughter. Mrs. Jennings absolutely won’t tolerate you harboring such feelings for Adrian." Selina shot up in anger, embarrassed and furious, "So what? I could remain unmarried for him! And you can never have anything to do with him ever again!" Talia’s heart trembled slightly, a flash of loneliness passed beneath her eyes. "Then I hope your wish comes true." Talia lowered her eyes to hide her emotions, and began tidying up her desk. "What are you doing?" Selina asked. Soon, Talia stood, opened the office door, and walked out. Outside the law firm’s director’s office. Talia gently knocked on the door. Talia got straight to the point: "Director, I want to resign." The director was stunned, "What’s going on? How come you’re resigning on the first day back at work for the new year?" Last time, Talia and the director went to Sutherlyn on a business trip and casually made a bet, securing The Tenward Group’s ten-year litigation and legal advisory contracts. To him, Talia was now like a cash cow; he couldn’t possibly let her go easily. Talia didn’t hold back, speaking frankly, "Selina Hughes and I have personal grievances; I don’t accept working for her." Lawyers at non-independent law firms seem glamorous but are essentially employees working for the firm. Every case these lawyers handle requires the firm to take a cut, which ultimately gets distributed among the partners and investors. So no matter how many cases Talia handles, she’s just an employee. Previously, she didn’t care about these; she came here merely to hone her skills. But things are different now—Selina Hughes has become one of the bosses, and every case she takes on would essentially be working for Selina. Given Selina’s nature, she would definitely cause trouble. She didn’t want to continue staying here and make herself uncomfortable. The director felt his head swell upon hearing about the dispute between Talia and Selina Hughes. Selina Hughes had just invested eighty million, and having such a wealthy partner would keep him smiling in his dreams every night. And besides, Selina Hughes was the adopted daughter of The Jennings Family. If they could build connections through her with The Jennings Family, not only could they maintain Senco’s position as the top law firm in Oakhaven, but they might even aim for nationwide recognition. However, Talia had just secured the firm’s largest deal ever, and he was reluctant to let her leave. "Director, don’t worry about it. My mind is made up. I’ll wrap up my work and hand it over to my colleagues in the coming days." "Talia, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? Senco is Oakhaven’s top law firm, and whether it’s the benefits or the growth prospects, we far surpass other firms. Once you leave Senco, you’ll find it challenging to get such a good job again." Talia lightly shook her head, "No, I won’t reconsider." She had already made up her mind; once she left Senco, she would establish her own law firm. After honing her skills for the past six months or so, she was ready. When the firm was set up, she would leverage her resources and connections to attract top industry lawyers and fresh graduates from prestigious schools; she was confident in surpassing Senco, bringing the firm to the top position in Oakhaven. Previously, she was proud and arrogant; she thought she could do well without relying on her family’s resources and connections, but reality gave her a rude awakening. In this society, aiming for success without leveraging family background and network is extremely difficult, especially when she has such a formidable adversary as The Jennings Family’s adopted daughter. Talia had figured it out: building a career was the most important thing. Three days later, Talia completed the work handover and officially resigned from Senco. Claire Yorick was reluctant, her eyes rimmed red. "Lawyer Rhodes, are you really leaving?" Talia smiled and hugged Claire Yorick, whispering in her ear, "I’m starting my own firm. When you get your lawyer’s practicing certificate, you’re welcome to join me." Claire Yorick’s eyes lit up, and her tears went away instantly, "Yes! I’ll definitely come!" "I’ll be waiting for you." Talia patted Claire’s shoulder and smiled at her, "You’ll be a lawyer soon too, Lawyer Yorick. I look forward to your joining."